The Lindores Distilling Co. Ltd. Lindores Abbey Friar John Cor (60.2% Global)

An official Lindores Abbey single malt, bottled at 60.2%. Only 5783 bottles were released. Lindores Abbey Distillery, in Fife, stands on the ground named in Scotch whisky's founding document, the 1494 Exchequer Rolls. The late Dr Jim Swan shaped its cask policy, with his signature shaved, toasted and recharred red wine barriques.

Distilled from local barley in copper stills on borehole water, giving the orchard fruit and butterscotch of the house style. A sherry cask wrapped the young spirit in dried fruit and a nutty depth. A young, characterful spirit and a bold cask suit one another here. The late Dr Jim Swan shaped the cask policy, with his signature recharred red wine barriques. Barley is grown on the abbey land and water drawn from a borehole the monks first dug. The first single malt, MCDXCIV, the Roman numerals for 1494, was released in 2021. The Tironensian abbey was founded in 1191 on the banks of the Tay, and welcomed kings for centuries.

Bottled at a cask strength 60.2%, it is intense. The Oloroso brings dried fruit, fig and a nutty depth. A vanilla and a baking spice give it depth. A long, fruity finish carries a chocolate note. This is a rich, fruity young Fife single malt.